System and process for increasing a softening point of isotropic pitch

A system for increasing a softening point of isotropic pitch, said system comprising:

• a hydrocarbon feed including isotropic pitch having a first softening point;
• an equilibrium channel configured to mix said hydrocarbon feed with a carrier gas such that at least one chosen from an annular-mist flow regime and a mist flow regime is established, with said annular-mist flow regime having a liquid film layer and a dispersion of entrained droplets, with said mist flow regime having a dispersion of entrained droplets, and such that said mixture of said hydrocarbon feed and said carrier gas approaches a vapor-liquid equilibrium;
• and
• a separation vessel defining a vessel interior and configured to operate at conditions between about 250 and about 500 degrees centigrade to limit formation of mesophase pitch, said separation vessel including:
• a vapor outlet to discharge a vapor phase from said separation vessel;
• a liquid outlet to discharge a liquid phase from said separation vessel;
• and
• a laminar tube extending along an axis into said vessel interior, with said laminar tube configured to receive an effluent from the equilibrium channel and having an inner surface on which said liquid film layer is able to form, and having a coalescence portion including at least one chosen from a bend angled at least about 30 degrees relative to said axis and a pigtail forming at least one loop, and wherein said coalescence portion is arranged to direct said effluent toward said liquid outlet;
• wherein said liquid phase includes isotropic pitch having a second softening point greater than said first softening point.